Long term freenet sustainability: a focus for concern By Shady Kanfi Realtime Online Ottawa, 1900 hr, Aug 16, '94. Today delegates expressed their concerns about the long term sustainability of freenet operations, and shared ideas on innovative sources of revenue. Issues of legal status were widely discussed, especially with regards to the options freenets have for revenue raising. Experience from BC freenets suggests that government agencies would be willing to support a freenet that was able to assist their mandate of information distribution. But it was noted that the adoption of set rates for providing these services might endanger the organization's non-profit/charity status. Another option discussed was the formation of parallel, profit-making operations providing Internet services and donating all revenues to the operation of the freenet. Again experience in B.C. suggests it might be possible. The option of partnering with local institutions was then suggested by the representative of the NPTN. Once established, freenets would be able to cooperate with a local newspaper and receive access to their human resource talent and facilities, and in return the paper gets a toe hold in the on-line world. It was also suggested that fundraising at current levels could not be maintained over the long term. Donations and fundraising require an intensity that will eventually cause burnout among volunteers. Finally, the issue of being the primary carrier of information in the community was brought up. Approaching local institutions now and ensuring that they are made aware of the services offered by the freenet, would reduce the likelihood of those institutions turning to commercial carriers a few years down the road. One policy recommendation for Telecommunities Canada was to work on a national level to promote the interests of community networks. In representing its membership's interests, the new organization could assist in local efforts at approaching potential sponsors, as well it could work to promote the freenet community to the rest of the country. A second policy recommendation was for the establishment of a central repository of current and ongoing freenet experience in dealing with issues of sustainability. The collection and distribution of local learning on these and other subjects can be an important function of the new national organization. -- Realtime Online - Professional Conference Reporting Team Rosaleen Dickson, Ottawa ac174@freenet.carleton.ca. Pierre Bourque, Michel Careau, Shady Kanfi, Charles King, Andrea Kujala, Jules Lafrance, Bruce MacDonald, Robt Rattey, Natalie Roth, Michael Silvestrini, Stephen Toy.